The Ukrainian Armed Forces have received a cheap means to combat the Geranium missiles.

February 18 2026 8 996 33

The ammunition loads of American F-16 fighter jets transferred to the Kyiv regime are equipped with APKWS-II guided missiles with semi-active laser homing heads, according to Russian analytical sources. They emphasize that Ukrainian Armed Forces pilots have already begun using these weapons to counter Russian Geran-2 drones.

Experts explain that these guided missiles are highly effective at intercepting kamikaze drones and slow-moving subsonic cruise missiles at ranges of up to eight kilometers. The seven-round LAU-68 F/A transporter-launcher pods allow a single F-16AM to carry between seven and 42 APKWS-II missiles.

However, given that fighters are equipped with external fuel tanks for longer air patrols, each aircraft is equipped with two or four units.

However, even this concept, according to experts, offers a cost-effectiveness gain of approximately 20 times that of the AIM-9X air-to-air missile. In theory, each F-16 pilot now has the ability to intercept seven times as many Russian drones.

However, in practice, it is unlikely that such indicators will be achieved, since for the F-16 to operate effectively, it requires data from ground-based radar systems, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces simply do not have.

Therefore, as analysts suggest, successful interceptions of large numbers of Geraniums will most likely be only episodic.

Information

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Igor Degtyarev

-2

18 February 2026 14: 01

APKWS-II (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) guided missiles were transferred to Ukraine as part of US military aid packages, with their actual use beginning in the spring of 2023. They are used in VAMPIRE mobile counter-drone systems, with the first documented use occurring in the summer of 2023. In 2025, new deliveries, including thousands of units, were reported, indicating a continuous replenishment of stockpiles.
Anton Kuzmin

+2

18 February 2026 14: 08

In fact, one missile costs $15-$35, while the Geranium-2 it would attempt to shoot down costs $190-$0.8. Initially, shooting down the missile made sense, but as Geranium-2 production expanded and became cheaper, it became both costly and pointless.
1. Igor Degtyarev
  
  -2
  
  18 February 2026 14: 33
  
  "geranium-2"; in $20,000 – $50,000
  1. k7k8
    
    -1
    
    18 February 2026 14: 50
    
    Even if that's true. To destroy an aerial target, a pair of missiles is typically used when a single UAV is used (in a mass deployment, the missile consumption is higher). Therefore, even at a price of $50,000 for a single Geran-2 (the price is rumored; no exact figures are publicly available), two missiles used for destruction would cost between $30,000 and $70,000, which is also quite expensive. And if, on top of that, one of the five flower pots actually reaches its target and destroys the garbage worth at least a couple million dollars, then everything falls into place even more.
    1. Igor Degtyarev
      
      +2
      
      18 February 2026 15: 01
      
      190K - $0.8k, that was unclear.
      1. k7k8
        
        -2
        
        18 February 2026 15: 03
        
        I didn't understand that figure either. And I still don't. I simply wrote that even the $15 price tag for anti-missiles is economically unjustified.
        
        The comment was deleted.
      2. Anton Kuzmin
        
        0
        
        21 February 2026 09: 14
        
        That's just the way it's been historically. First, expensive Iranian geraniums began to be produced here, then – en masse. And the price dropped.
        
        k7k8
        
        -2
        
        21 February 2026 09: 25
        
        Under no economic or localization conditions can the price of a product fall by 500 times.
        
        Anton Kuzmin
        
        0
        
        21 February 2026 10: 16
        
        And grow up?
        What I'm getting at is that the initial price of the first Iranian-made "geraniums" was incredibly inflated. Firstly, they were also the first ones. And they're much, much more expensive. And secondly, there's the speculative component. When a house is on fire, the price of a working fire pump near the house can reach half the price of the house...
        At that point, the Russian Federation needed these birds. And they could have gotten a lot. Up to the point of recouping their R&D costs. Which, by the way, is even fair. Because after that, geraniums started being produced here. That is, they handed over the technical documentation and process charts. And all of that costs money, too.
        Actually, I was only officially a wholesaler for 22 years (until they banned men from living to retirement age), and I was actually surprised that we made so little money from the Russian Federation. Apparently, the Persians have a conscience. They could have grabbed more. And by the way, do you completely rule out any kickbacks or cuts? After all, they're supposed to happen at the beginning of a deal, and the more we produce ourselves, the less impact they have on production costs.
        
        k7k8
        
        -3
        
        21 February 2026 11: 44
        
        Once again, for those especially gifted: Under no circumstances (even if we combine and square all the reasons and conditions you've cited) will the price of the final product drop from the $190000 you quoted to the $800 you quoted.
        
        Anton Kuzmin
        
        +1
        
        25 February 2026 13: 36
        
        I don't really care what you think! After all, I was only officially a private entrepreneur. And you, like the last two defense ministers, probably didn't graduate from a military academy. Unlike me! So listen to your elders!
        
        k7k8
        
        -4
        
        25 February 2026 14: 49
        
        Quote: Anton Kuzmin
        So listen to your elders!
        
        Senile? No thanks! And yes, there are no more vicious people than chronic losers. Your bile flows like a river from the screen.
        
        Anton Kuzmin
        
        +1
        
        26 February 2026 10: 42
        
        Don't judge people by yourself! Just because you're a loser doesn't mean everyone else is!
        P.S., did you dodge the draft? Usually, those who served ask again: is it your senior in rank or position?
        
        k7k8
        
        -2
        
        26 February 2026 11: 41
        
        Dear Sir, you've already talked enough for several articles. Calm down.
        
        Anton Kuzmin
        
        +1
        
        26 February 2026 12: 24
        
        I'll do my time when you get out!
        
        k7k8
        
        -1
        
        26 February 2026 14: 49
        
        First of all, you're being rude all the time. Oh well, never mind.
        Secondly, reread your own posts. You set up a shady business (either a sole proprietorship or a foreign enterprise. It doesn't matter, the investigation will sort it out). You conspired with officials from the Russian Ministry of Defense to sell products to the troops at inflated prices. Naturally, this wasn't without cost, either to the officials in question or to you. I've listed at least three criminal charges (check the numbers in the Russian Criminal Code yourself). And all of them had aggravating circumstances.
        If the editorial team does its job correctly, it is simply obliged to forward your confessions to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.
        
        Anton Kuzmin
        
        0
        
        26 February 2026 15: 57
        
        I was shown people like you in my fourth year, in psychiatry. Usually in civilian clinics. Because "military medicine is the medicine of healthy people." (C) I've never met anyone like you in the troops. At most, they were "pissers" (bedwetters) and those pretending to be. Have you ever considered making a career at the Military Medical Academy? Just sign a consent form to participate in the training process. And you'd be the center of attention! Cadets would come in groups, grope you, ask questions... You'd talk to the professors... They say they've started picking on women now, too. So maybe the girls would grope you too...
        And I'll forward your comment straight to your doctor for your medical history. That means you'll be a crony!
        P.S. You were the one who started being rude! :)
        
        k7k8
        
        -1
        
        26 February 2026 21: 40
        
        You're so bloated, you sicko! It's time you treated your split personality. By the way, tram ham, I've never met a rude doctor in my life. So, don't tense up and don't widen your eyes. You're not the one who's going to tell a senior officer with 22 years of service how to address someone. You're as much a military doctor (and even just a doctor) as I am the Pope. Goodbye. And don't see him off. Better take some haloperidol. And don't skimp on the dosage.
        
        Anton Kuzmin
        
        0
        
        27 February 2026 14: 16
        
        Well, what I haven’t come across is that there are at least two explanations!
        1. Little life and military experience
        2. Questionable legal capacity.
        I mean, you started being rude and didn't like it when I responded in the same vein. Reread our conversation history! And if you realize you started it, at least apologize!
        However, something tells me that an objective perception of the surrounding reality is not your strong point!
        
        Well, as for who's going to teach a senior (?) officer (?)—well, yes, I agree! If I actually saw a senior officer spouting such pearls of wisdom, I wouldn't try to lecture him on life. But I'm sending him to a psychiatrist next Thursday. What if he starts not only thinking of himself as a Roman mother, but also starts having a serious medical condition? :)
        
        Vladimir Tuzakov
        
        +1
        
        3 March 2026 17: 59
        
        Dear Anton K., don't engage in idle arguments; it's beneath anyone who understands (the subject of the dispute is unknown to anyone—the price). As a friend of mine used to say, give a stubborn person a break, otherwise he'll break his head trying to prove his point.
        
        Anton Kuzmin
        
        0
        
        4 March 2026 08: 36
        
        You are absolutely right in principle, but this case is an exception!
        I just wanted it so much! :))))
    2. Alexey Lan
      
      +1
      
      18 February 2026 15: 23
      
      However, F-16 flights also cost money, and if the Geranis also carry air-to-air missiles, the arithmetic will become even more complicated.
      1. k7k8
        
        -2
        
        18 February 2026 16: 12
        
        Absolutely. That's why there are no small-caliber automatic anti-aircraft artillery or heavy machine guns. At least, not in terms of cost.
        
        Anton Kuzmin
        
        0
        
        19 February 2026 13: 00
        
        Why repeat yourself twice? Or is it "Everyone around here is stupid" (C) and they won't understand without repeating it? /laughs/ :)
        Well, essentially, you're absolutely right... Although, perhaps someone has come up with a cheaper method, it's unlikely they'll be allowed to implement it. Because it interferes with budget embezzlement.
        
        k7k8
        
        -3
        
        19 February 2026 15: 29
        
        Quote: Anton Kuzmin
        Why repeat yourself twice?
        
        I had to repeat myself because the original post omitted the word "alternatives" (odd you didn't notice), and the editing time had already expired. Otherwise, the local cypsosauruses would have had a good excuse to kick the bucket. And you fell for it, too.
      2. k7k8
        
        0
        
        18 February 2026 17: 28
        
        Absolutely. Therefore, there is no alternative to small-caliber automatic anti-aircraft artillery and heavy machine guns. At least, not in terms of cost.
  2. twice-born
    
    +2
    
    19 February 2026 02: 05
    
    Yes, just one airplane takeoff, the burned kerosene and maintenance, wear and tear, without the missiles and machine gun cartridges used, costs more than any Geranium, any drone.
    1. Anton Kuzmin
      
      +1
      
      19 February 2026 12: 58
      
      That's right, but I didn't write that. The average person wouldn't understand.
  3. Anton Kuzmin
    
    -3
    
    19 February 2026 12: 58
    
    I honestly listed all the prices I found publicly available. I'll repeat: from $800 to $190000. The latter is if you buy from Iran when it's released. The former is what's possible now with mass production.
    In general, no one will ever tell us the truth. Because it could interfere with the embezzlement of the budget... Do you want to protect the embezzlement?
    1. Igor Degtyarev
      
      +1
      
      19 February 2026 13: 48
      
      I also searched honestly, don't talk nonsense about the protection of the saw.
      1. Anton Kuzmin
        
        -2
        
        21 February 2026 10: 22
        
        Honest, but bad. Ask Alice.
polar bear

0

24 February 2026 22: 14

Why does Ukraine even calmly maintain, base, and fly F-16s? And not just one or two.
Anton Kuzmin

+1

25 February 2026 13: 38

To the author. And now you are the Muse!
A "cheap" countermeasure against Geraniums is still significantly more expensive than Geraniums and also requires radar and aircraft. https://тримава.рф/?p=48317